South Australian women have long been at the forefront of medical discoveries and breakthroughs. From being the first in the world to link SIDS deaths with babies sleeping on their stomachs or map Fragile X syndrome, in laboratories across our state women have been making history in what was once a profession dominated by men.

Similarly, in the scientific sphere, the fields of photonics, biotechnology and geology have all greatly benefited from pivotal roles played by South Australian women.

Then there are those who have smashed through glass ceilings right across the education, health and science sectors — our first female flying doctor, our first female chief scientist, our first female vice-chancellor. Their achievements are many — and their contemporaries were few — but thanks to the contribution of these women, there is a clear path for future generations of great female doctors, scientists and educators.

Contributors: Brad Crouch, Cameron England, Clare Peddie, Craig Cook, Emily Cosenza, Emily Dawe, Erin Cutler, Jillian Attrill, Katie Spain, Kaysee Miller, Lauren Novak, Liz Walsh, Matt Pike, Matt Turner, Nathan Davies, Paul Starick, Rebecca Fletcher, Robyn Douglass, Rod Savage, Scott Walsh, Sean Fewster, Tim Williams, Tory Shepherd, Valerina Changarathil